Process for Manuafacturing Sealed Round Metal Ductwork

Abstract

This invention relates to sealing HVAC ductwork along its joints in order to reduce air leakage. The ductwork can be sealed by the combination of a gasket and mechanical locking mechanism.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A process for manufacturing a round metal heating ventilation and air conditioning duct for residential or commercial use including providing sheet metal, forming a male crimped end and a female end so that sheet metal duct can connect to other pieces of duct, forming a longitudinal snap locking mechanism on the sheet metal duct the improvement comprising adding a gasket that adheres to the sheet metal and has minimal surface tack. 
     
     
         2 . The process as recited in  claim 1  wherein the gasket is applied in a first state and is then cured. 
     
     
         3 . The process as recited in  claim 2  wherein curing the gasket includes applying an agent. 
     
     
         4 . The process as recited in  claim 2  wherein the gasket is foamed. 
     
     
         5 . The process as recited in  claim 2  wherein the gasket is cured in 20 minutes or less. 
     
     
         6 . The process as recited in  claim 1  wherein the gasket is placed on a female end. 
     
     
         7 . The process as recited in  claim 1  wherein in the male crimped end has a male bead and the fast curing gasket is placed on a leading edge of the male bead. 
     
     
         8 . The process as recited in  claim 1  wherein the female end has a female bead and the fast curing gasket is placed on an inside of the female bead. 
     
     
         9 . The process as recited in  claim 1  wherein the female end has a flared portion and the fast curing gasket is placed on an inside of the flared portion. 
     
     
         10 . The process as recited in  claim 1  wherein the process takes under 20 minutes or less to create a duct. 
     
     
         11 . The process as recited in  claim 1  including:
 (a) creating a female transverse positioning lock on the female end; and 
 (b) creating a male transverse positioning lock on the male end that corresponds to the female transverse positioning lock of another duct to position the connection of the two ducts properly so that the gasket properly works. 
 
     
     
         12 . A duct having a male end and a female end for connection to other ducts the improvement comprising a gasket applied during the manufacturing process that adheres to the duct and has minimal surface tack and is proximate to one of the ends so that when joined to another piece of duct a sealed joint is created. 
     
     
         13 . The duct as recited in  claim 12  wherein the gasket is cured. 
     
     
         14 . The duct as recited in  claim 12  wherein the end that the gasket is located proximate to is the male end and located on a leading edge of the male bead. 
     
     
         15 . The duct as recited in  claim 12  wherein the end that the gasket is located proximate to is the female end on an inside wall of the sheet metal duct. 
     
     
         16 . The duct as recited in  claim 12  including a bead on female end of the duct wherein the end that the gasket is located proximate to is the female end and located on an inside of the female bead. 
     
     
         17 . The duct as recited in  claim 12  including a flared portion on the female end and wherein the end that the fast curing gasket is located proximate to the female end on an inside of the flared portion. 
     
     
         18 . The duct as recited in  claim 12  wherein the fast curing gasket is cured using ultraviolet light. 
     
     
         19 . The duct as recited in  claim 12  wherein the fast curing gasket is foamed. 
     
     
         20 . The duct as recited in  claim 12  including a female transverse positioning lock on the female end and a corresponding male transverse positioning lock on the male end.